Azerbaijani-Iranian Relations: Main Directions and Features in 1991-2019 (Historiographical Overview)

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Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Iran in 1991-2019, as well as historiography on this topic. The author analyzes the priority areas of cooperation, such as trade and economic relations, tourism, cooperation on trilateral platforms, as well as the factors that influenced the dynamics of their development: Azerbaijani Turks living in Iran; the issue of the legal status of the Caspian Sea and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The author also identifies six stages of bilateral relations: 1) building relations (1991-1993); 2) trouble trusting in a relationship (1994-2000); 3) the most tense period (2001-2003); 4) enhanced cooperation (2004-2010); 5) sharp deterioration (2011-2013); 6) normalization and rapid development (2014-2019). It is indicated that because both states had different foreign policy strategies and international positioning on regional issues, in 1991-2019, bilateral relations were characterized by inconsistency - cooperation, on the one hand, and confrontation, on the other. However, thanks to the efforts of the presidents of both states, bilateral interaction during this period was generally able to maintain its constructive nature. Special attention is paid to the cooperation in the regional triangles: Azerbaijan - Iran - Russia and Azerbaijan - Iran - Turkey, which had different goals and different expectations. If the trilateral cooperation between Baku, Tehran and Moscow is mainly aimed at the implementation of the North-South International Transport Corridor, then the cooperation between Baku, Tehran and Ankara is aimed at strengthening trust and confidence in interstate relations. In conclusion, the author stresses that thanks to the efforts of political elites, especially the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Iran, in general bilateral relations in 1991-2019 were able to maintain their constructive character.

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Table 1. Azerbaijan’s trade relations with Iran, 1995—2019, USD millions

Year / Index

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015

2019

Import

80.3

56.8

76.3

118.2

90.4

452.7

Export

186.1

7.6

166.4

124.9

34.2

41.1

Turnover

266.4

64.4

242.7

243.1

124.6

493.8

Balance

of trade

105.8

−49.2

90.1

6.7

−56.2

−411.6

Share in total imports, %

12.0

4.8

1.8

1.8

1.0

3.31

Share in total exports, %

29.2

0.4

3.8

0.6

0.3

0.2

Share in total turnover, %

20.4

2.2

2.8

0.9

0.6

1.48

Source: compiled by the author based on the data: Ticarət. Azərbaycanın xarici ticarəti // Azərbaycan Respublikasının Dövlət Statistika Komitəsi. URL: https://www.stat.gov.az/
source/trade/?lang=az (accessed: 12.05.2021).

Table 2. The number of outbound and inbound tourists, 2011—2019

Year

Outbound tourists from Iran to Azerbaijan

Inbound tourists to Iran from Azerbaijan

Number, thousand people

Total share, %

Number, thousand people

Total share, %

2011

293.0

18.7

373.3

16.2

2012

235.5

11.8

313.1

11.0

2013

127.2

6.0

379.3

11.4

2014

126.7

5.8

647.1

19.5

2015

149.6

7.5

—

—

2016

232.7

11.4

728.6

20.3

2017

362.5

13.4

961.4

23.4

2018

225.6

8.6

1341.3

32.7

2019

237.9

8.3

1353.2

31.1

Source: compiled by the author based on the data provided by the State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan: Azərbaycan Respublikasının Dövlət Statistika Komitəsi. URL: https://www.stat.gov.az/menu/6/statistical_
yearbooks/source/tourism_2021.zip (accessed: 14.05.2021).

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About the authors

Mirmehdi M. Aghazada

Рeoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University)

Author for correspondence.
Email: agazade-mm@rudn.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5129-5553

PhD in History, Senior Lecturer, Department of Theory and History of International Relations

Moscow, Russian Federation

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